Laundry supply tote device

ABSTRACT

The disclosed invention is an improved device for a person to conveniently carry or tote supplies for use in processing the household laundry either at a laundromat or in the home, or for carrying other items as suitable, and consists of a specially designed open top container for accommodating said supplies having a handle and/or shoulder strap.

United States Patent 1 Jones 1 July 8, 1975 15 LAUNDRY SUPPLY TOTEDEVICE 3,259,285 7/1966 Bush 224/46 R 3,312,366 4/1967 Poris 220/23 176]Rural ROW: BOX 3,433,383 3/1969 Phibbs 220/8 542, Hartford City, 1nd.47348 22 Pl J 18 1974 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS I 1 s53 1/1901Canada 220/23 [21] Appl. No.: 434,610 127,630 5/1948Australia.............................. 220/23 52 us. Cl. 224/45 R;220/23 Primary F" 51 im. Cl. A45c 71/00 48mm and [58] Field of Search224/45 R, 46, 47, 45.6,

224/458, 45.15; 220/8, 17, 23, D10. 14; [57] ABSTRACT 206/203 Thedisclosed invention is an improved device for a person to convenientlycarry or tote supplies for use in [56] Reerences cued processing thehousehold laundry either at a laundro- UNITED STATES PATENTS mat or inthe home, or for carrying other items as suit- 2,82l,327 1/1958G1azer...... 206/203 able, and consists of a specially designed open top2,921,707 1/1960 Sloan 220/23 container for accommodating said supplieshaving a Thomas handle and/ r houlder trap 3,035,746 5/1962 Hayes 224/1A 3,178,052 4/1965 Bromiley 206/203 1 Claim, 13 Drawing Figures3,220,625 11/1965 Protheroi 224/45 N PATENTEDJUL 8 1975 $893,607

SHEET 10F 2 LAUNDRY SUPPLY TOTE DEVICE This invention disclosed hereinis an improved device for containing and aiding a person to carry ortote supplies commonly used in processing the household laundry.However, the device may be used for carrying or containing any otherthing as the user may find same adaptable and suitable. The device is aspecially designed open top container primarily suited to carry soaps,detergents, bleach, fabric softeners or other things commonly used inprocessing household laundry either in the home or at laundromats.

In particular, it is the object of the invention to provide the personwho processes the home laundry with a simple, convenient, inexpensivemeans to carry the various requisite laundry supplies to and from theplace where the laundry is done or from the market place or grocerywhere such supplies are commonly purchased. Heretofore, no known devicehas existed to carry such supplies and it has been necessary to carrythem separately, which is inconvenient, cumbersome and inefficient, orto carry them in some make-shift container or sack not especiallydesigned for the convenience of carrying such materials.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device formerchandising and marketing laundry supplies at the local grocery, whichprovides a convenient and appealing means for the shopper to purchaseand carry home such supplies. Heretofore, laundry supply items aregenerally purchased in separate containers or boxes at various separatelocations in the store, which causes the shopping for same to beinconvenient and inefficient.

A further object of this invention is to provide a carrying or totedevice for laundry supplies so that the same will be conserved duringtheir use. Heretofore, with the supplies carried in their individualseparate containers, it is not unusual to have spillage or theaccidently dropping and rupturing of such containers when the person hasno unitized, convenient means of carrying the many separate articles ofsupplies.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a unique and novelbox that is carried in the subject laundry supply tote device forcontaining the soap or detergent which has a special pouring spout andhas a measuring device in its top. Heretfore, a separate measuring cupor other device was needed to measure the amount of soap or detergent tobe put in the wash, which was just another object to be carried or notavailable when needed. Also, the specially designed pouring spouteliminates or reduces spillage of soap or detergent to a minimum and,therefore, results in saving such supplies.

Of course, it is readily apparent that this invention can be variouslyadaptable for the merchandising and carrying of many other items besideslaundry supplies as the users ingenuity might conceive.

These and other objects, advantages and uses will be apparent from theaccompanying drawings and description.

The drawings presented showing the subject invention is brieflydescribed as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective overall view of the subject laundry tote device.

FIG. 2 is a view generally showing a person using the shoulder strap tocarry the subject device.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view showing panels cut out of or slots inthe sides and ends of the subject device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view AA of FIG. 7 showing the button used onthe ends of the subject device to accommodate and hold the shoulderstrap.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the subject device.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view 3-3 of FIG. 7 of the end of the device.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the subject device.

FIG. 8 shows an overall perspective view of the box with top which isused in the subject device to contain soap or detergent.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view the FIG. 8 box without its top.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a conventional box of commonlaundry detergent.

FIG. I 1 is a cross-section view CC of the FIG. 8 detergent supply boxand its top.

FIG. 12 is a cross section view DD of FIG. 13 showing the FIG. 8detergent supply box top measuring portion.

FIG. 13 is a perspective underside view of the FIG. 8 box top showingthe measuring device for soap or detergent.

The invention and the various adaptions thereof will be betterunderstood from the following description:

The invention as shown in FIG. I basically consists of a means 1 tocarry or tote home laundry supplies such as the soap or detergent box 2,the fabric softener 3 and fabric bleach 4. The device may beconveniently carried by the hand handle means 5 or shoulder strapcarrying means 6, whichever is convenient to or selected by the user.

The shoulder strap carrying means 6 is attached to the ends 7 and 8 ofthe subject by the user selecting and inserting a slot 9 over aconvenient button type attachment means 10 located generally at the topcenter of each end 7 and 8.

The device 1 in FIG. 2 is shown in use and being carried by the shoulderstrap 6 by the user 14.

The device may be fabricated or moulded having either unitized solidends 7-8, sides I142, handle 5 and bottom 13 or it may be fabricated ormoulded with various panels, holes or designs cut out of said side orends or handle or bottom, as one such instance is shown in FIG. 3 havingslots or panels 15 in the ends and sides. It is readily apparent thatmany designs, slots or holes can be fabricated or moulded in or cut outof the various parts of the device for material savings, design ormerchandising reasons.

FIG. 5 shows a general top view of the device 1 showing the unitizedfabricated or moulded body consisting of handle 5, ends 7-8, sides11-12, shoulder strap holding buttons 10 and bottom 12. The device canbe fabricated or moulded from any suitable plastic, metal, paper orother material as is deemed best by the maker or user. In general, theinventor recommends and envisions that the device I and box 2 be mouldedfrom any conventional, suitable, inexpensive plastic material.

The shoulder strap 6 is attached to each end 7 and 8 of the device byslipping a slit 9 in each end of the strap over a button holding means10 fabricated and moulded as a part of or attachment to generally thetop center each end as may be convenient and stable for carrying thedevice by the said shoulder strap. The shoulder strap can have numerousslits 9 in each end which can be selected by the user to shorten theshoulder strap attached length as desired and convenient. The shoulderstrap may be made of any conventionally suitable material but preferablyplastic or leather. FIG. 4 generally shows one of the button holdingmeans 10 moulded together with end 7. It can be readily seen, however,that the subject button holding means or other conventionally suitableshoulder strap attachment means may be attached via any number of commonmeans to each said end for the desired carrying purpose.

A side view of device I is generally shown in FIG. 7 without shoulderstrap carrying means 6 attached to the button holding means 10 shown oneach end 7 and 8. This view shows the handle means having a slot 16therein positioned for convenience of the user to hand carry the deviceif desires.

As invisioned by inventor, all edges and corners 17 would be suitablyrounded, for obvious safety and other reasons. However, the same couldhave any configuration as may be deemed desirable by the designer.

The handle means 5 integral part of and attachment to the ends 7 and 8and bottom 13 is more clearly depicted in the FIG. 6 cross-section viewB-B of FIG. 7.

The improved laundry soap or detergent supply box 2 is generally shownin FIG. 8 with its cover 18 shown in place. This box is generallyrectangular, but may be of any suitable design or shape, having ends 19,sides 20, bottom 21 and a top 22. The top 22 has a pour spout 23, whichenvisioned by the inventor to be semicircular with its diameter nearestthe end 19 and generally centered in one end of the said top. However,it can be readily seen that any suitable configuration or design orlocation for the purpose of a pour spout can be used.

As further envisioned by the inventor, the opposite end of said top 22from the spout 23 has a hole 24 of any suitable shape but preferablyrectangular for use in inserting soap or detergent into the box 2 andfor accommodating the insertation of the measuring means 26.

In contrast, a common box of laundry detergent is depicted in FIG. as25.

FIG. 13 shows an underside perspective view of the cover 18 that goesover and generally seals the top 22 of box 2. Depicted is its ends 27,sides 29, and top 30. The inventor envisions same to be generallyrectangular and designed to fit over said top of and onto the box 2;however, it can be of any suitable shape so as to match up and fit ontoand seal the top of box 2.

The cover 18 contains an integrally moulded measuring means 26, thepurpose of which is to provide an always present, convenient means forthe person doing the laundry to measure the quantity of soap ordetergent or fabric softener or bleach desired. The inventor envisionssame to be of moulded plastic and leakproof so as to be adaptable to themultipurpose use of measuring both dry solids and liquids.

The said measuring means 26 has integrally moulded inside ribs 28, asshown in FIGS. II, 12 and 13 which are appropriately spaced therein toindicate to the user 5 f2, and l cup increments. The ends 27 and sides29 of the cover are designed to fit closely over the top of box 2 togenerally seal top 22 thereof so that the contents will not spill, yethaving sufficient and appropriate space 31, as shown in FIG. 12, betweenthe inside of said ends and sides and the measuring means 26 to per' mitsaid measuring means portion to snuggly fit down inside of box 2 throughopening 24 and thus assist to snuggly hold the said cover 18 onto thetop of box 2.

It will also be obvious to those skilled in the art that numerousvariations and adaptations may be made in the invention withoutdeparting from the object or spirit of the invention; therefore it isnot intended that the invention depicted, described or claimed herein belimited to that illustrated, described or disclosed herein. It isfurther obvious that the subject device as is or as can be obviouslymodified can be used or adapted to carry or tote numerous items otherthan laundry supplies, and thus, it is not intended to limit theinvention to only a means to carry or tote laundry supplies.

What I claim is the following:

1. A means to tote commonly used laundry supplies consisting of thefollowing:

A. A container having:

1. Two substantially similar opposite spaced apart parallel first sides,

2. Two substantially similar opposite spaced apart parallel first endsattached to said first sides having a similar height as and less widththan each said first side and a button holding means located outwardlyand generally centered near the top of each said first end for use inattaching and securing a shoulder strap carrying means if desired,

3. A bottom attached to said first sides and first ends,

4. A center divider handle means the substantially same width as, havinga greater height than, and suitably spaced between and parallel to saidfirst sides attached to each said first end having an elongated slottherein generally laterally parallel to said bottom with a portionthereof extending above said first sides sufficient to accommodate theinsertion of a users hand for gripping and carrying purposes,

5. An open space at the top between said center divider handle means andeach said first side and first ends and B. A removable hollow laundrysupply box inserted between said center divider handle means and a saidside having 1. Two similar opposite spaced apart parallel second sideshaving a height less than said center divider handle means but greaterthan the said first side next to said box and a length substantiallysimilar to but less than the said first side next to said box,

2. Two similar opposite spaced apart parallel second ends having aheight equal and attached to said second sides and a width substantiallysimilar to but less than the space between said center divider handlemeans and said first side between which said box is inserted,

3. A second bottom attached to said second sides and second ends whichwhen said box is inserted rests generally upon that uppermost portion ofthe first bottom between said center divider handle means and said firstside, and

4. A second top attached to said second sides and second ends having asuitable small first opening therein centered near one end thereof foruse in pouring the laundry supply out of said box and a second largeropening therein nearer the other end thereof to accommodate an insertedportion of the following described box top cover means and C. Aremovable box top cover means having 1. A closed upper portion theunderside of which fits down upon and against the upper portion of 4. Ameasuring means, which fits down into the said second opening in saidsecond top when said box top cover means is placed atop said box, havingthe top of same open and the bottom thereof consisting of a portion ofthe underside of said box top cover means said upper portion when saidbox top cover means is removed from the said box and turned over andfour parallel spaced apart sides which are attached to and extendsufficiently away from the underside of said box top cover means saidupper portion which have internal ribs or markings around the inside ofsaid four sides to show the quantity of content thereof, preferrably inparts of a cup volume measure, as the user fills same with a laundrysupply for measuring purposes.

1. A closed upper portion the underside of which fits down upon andagainst the upper portion of the said box second top when positionedatop said box,
 1. Two similar opposite spaced apart parallel secondsides having a height less than said center divider handle means butgreater than the said first side next to said box and a lengthsubstantially similar to but less than the said first side next to saidbox,
 1. Two substantially similar opposite spaced apart parallel firstsides,
 1. A means to tote commonly used laundry supplies consisting ofthe following: A. A container having:
 2. Two substantiAlly similaropposite spaced apart parallel first ends attached to said first sideshaving a similar height as and less width than each said first side anda button holding means located outwardly and generally centered near thetop of each said first end for use in attaching and securing a shoulderstrap carrying means if desired,
 2. Two similar opposite spaced apartparallel second ends having a height equal and attached to said secondsides and a width substantially similar to but less than the spacebetween said center divider handle means and said first side betweenwhich said box is inserted,
 2. Two similar spaced apart oppositeparallel third sides attached to said upper portion which extends downand over a portion of the said second sides of said box when said boxtop cover means is placed atop said box,
 2. Two substantiAlly similaropposite spaced apart parallel first ends attached to said first sideshaving a similar height as and less width than each said first side anda button holding means located outwardly and generally centered near thetop of each said first end for use in attaching and securing a shoulderstrap carrying means if desired,
 2. Two similar spaced apart oppositeparallel third sides attached to said upper portion which extends downand over a portion of the said second sides of said box when said boxtop cover means is placed atop said box,
 2. Two similar opposite spacedapart parallel second ends having a height equal and attached to saidsecond sides and a width substantially similar to but less than thespace between said center divider handle means and said first sidebetween which said box is inserted,
 3. A second bottom attached to saidsecond sides and second ends which when said box is inserted restsgenerally upon that uppermost portion of the first bottom between saidcenter divider handle means and said first side, and
 3. Two similarspaced apart opposite parallel third ends attached to said upper portionand said third sides which extend down and over a portion of the saidsecond ends of said box when said box top cover means is placed atopsaid box, and
 3. A bottom attached to said first sides and first ends,3. Two similar spaced apart opposite parallel third ends attached tosaid upper portion and said third sides which extend down and over aportion of the said second ends of said box when said box top covermeans is placed atop said box, and
 3. A second bottom attached to saidsecond sides and second ends which when said box is inserted restsgenerally upon that uppermost portion of the first bottom between saidcenter divider handle means and said first side, and
 3. A bottomattached to said first sides and first ends,
 4. A center divider handlemeans the substantially same width as, having a greater height than, andsuitably spaced between and parallel to said first sides attached toeach said first end having an elongated slot therein generally laterallyparallel to said bottom with a portion thereof extending above saidfirst sides sufficient to accommodate the insertion of a user''s handfor gripping and carrying purposes,
 4. A second top attached to saidsecond sides and second ends having a suitable small first openingtherein centered near one end thereof for use in pouring the laundrysupply out of said box and a second larger opening therein nearer theother end thereof to accommodate an inserted portion of the followingdescribed box top cover means and C. A removable box top cover meanshaving
 4. A measuring means, which fits down into the said secondopening in said second top when said box top cover means is placed atopsaid box, having the top of same open and the bottom thereof consistingof a portion of the underside of said box top cover means said upperportion when said box top cover means is removed from the said box andturned over and four parallel spaced apart sides which are attached toand extend sufficiently away from the underside of said box top covermeans said upper portion which have internal ribs or markings around theinside of said four sides to show the quantity of content thereof,preferrably in parts of a cup volume measure, as the user fills samewith a laundry supply for measuring purposes.
 4. A measuring means,which fits down into the said second opening in said second top whensaid box top cover means is placed atop said box, having the top of sameopen and the bottom thereof consisting of a portion of the underside ofsaid box top cover means said upper portion when said box top covermeans is removed from the said box and turned over and four parallelspaced apart sides which are attached to and extend sufficiently awayfrom the underside of said box top cover means said upper portion whichhave internal ribs or markings around the inside of said four sides toshow the quantity of content thereof, preferrably in parts of a cupvolume measure, as the user fills same with a laundry supply formeasuring purposes.
 4. A second top attached to said second sides andsecond ends having a suitable small first opening therein centered nearone end thereof for use in pouring the laundry supply out of said boxand a second larger opening therein nearer the other end thereof toaccommodate an inserted portion of the following described box top covermeans and C. A removable box top cover means having
 4. A center dividerhandle means the substantially same width as, having a greater heightthan, and suitably spaced between and parallel to said first sidesattached to each said first end having an elongated slot thereingenerally laterally parallel to said bottom with a portion thereofextending above said first sides sufficient to accommodate the insertionof a user''s hand for gripping and carrying purposes,
 5. An open spaceat the top between said center divider handle means and each said firstside and first ends and B. A removable hollow laundry supply boxinserted between said center divider handle means and a said side having5. An open space at the top between said center divider handle means andeach said first side and first ends and B. A removable hollow laundrysupply box inserted between said center divider handle means and a saidside having